Quick Share-Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love by Saira Mir

Always Sisters: A Story of Loss and Love 

by Saira Mir

Illustrated by Shahrzad MayDani

Published August 22, 2023

Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Hardcover Picture Book

Fiction

32 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

This much-needed picture book about navigating the difficult experience of pregnancy loss meets young readers at their level to offer a tender look at grieving someone who never entered the world.

Raya can’t wait for her baby sister to arrive. She’s already got a name—Nura—and Raya is certain they’ll be best friends. She’s got all kinds of plans for things they’ll do together like run through the sprinklers, play dress-up, and give piggyback rides.

But one day, Mama returns from the doctor with tears in her eyes. Nura won’t be coming home after all. Raya feels confused and sad, like all the love she has for Nura is trapped inside her. With the help of family, friends, and her school counselor, though, Raya finds a way to grieve this loss and to share the love she’ll always feel for her sister.

This sweet book portrays the excitement of a new sibling about to enter the world and the feelings of loss, confusion and sadness of a lost pregnancy in a way that is straightforward without being scary. 

It is an important reminder that siblings also grieve after this kind of loss. 

The illustrations are soft and fuzzy. Color changes and patterns are used to show emotional changes throughout the story. 

This book would make a great addition to a collection about grief and loss. 

Recent Reads-September 9, 2023

Hi everyone!

Here are a couple of books I have enjoyed reading lately. (Images from Goodreads). Click on the covers to learn more about each book. 

When looking for books to share around Indigenous People's Day, I read these two books. I loved them both and plan to get them for my library. 

Add this one to your collection of books on stereotypes and gender norms and expectations. 

I read there Maine Student Book Award books recently. 

I have a student who discovered skateboarding over the summer. 

I can't wait to share this book with him. 

Just Beautiful!

This gorgeous book is accessible to all students.

This was a really good audiobook. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? August 7, 2023

 

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

I am still enjoying summer reading! Here are a few recent highlights. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.

This book is on the Maine Student Book Award List this year. It is a great historical fiction choice that gives a unique perspective of WWII. 

This graphic novel is also on the MSBA list. 

I predict that it will never be on my shelf. 

Told through the voice of a teacher trying to explain slavery to students. An honest, important book to read, share and discuss. 

Powerful illustrations add to the emotional experience. 

Listening 

Upcoming Reading

I am trying to work my way through many of the Maine Student Book Award book for this year so I can recommend them to my students. I am also reading books from various mock Caldecott lists. 

What are you reading friends? 

Bark Ship Bonnie by Stephanie Staub

 Bark Ship Bonnie 

by Stephanie Staub 

Art by Fiona Lee

Published March, 2023

Cameron Kids

Fiction

Hardcover

32 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

A sailing adventure featuring a girl, her dog, and their boat, complete with a “Ship Slang” glossary and diagram of a real bark ship

Bonnie lass, bark sailor on a bark ship cast off, set sail, chase sea tales, befriend whales, scope islands, outwit squalls, and make it home in time to slip back into the slip and sleep, in this delightfully salty tale of a girl, her dog, and a boat.

My Thoughts

I did not know what a bark ship was prior to reading this book. Thankfully there is a diagram of a bark ship as well as a glossary of "ship slang" at the end of the book. 

The lyrical text is full of these slang and many more rich vocabulary terms that can be explored with children. 

The illustrations are simple and colorful, each page with a nautical feel. This book could make a nice addition to an ocean or boating unit. 

Image from Amazon.

They Are Here!: How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystems

 

They Are Here!: How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystems

by Roland Smith

Published May, 2023

Henry Holt and Co. 

Nonfiction

Hardcover

160 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

From the New York Times -bestselling author, Roland Smith, comes a fascinating, fact-filled resource that explores how humans have introduced―on purpose and by accident―plants and animals to parts of the world where they were previously unknown. . .sometimes with disastrous results.

Did you know that brown rats were brought to the United States in the eighteenth century on a ship from England? Or that thousands of exotic pets were released into the Florida Everglades after a hurricane in 1992, leading to today’s booming Burmese python population? All over the country, non-native species from around the world have been introduced to our lands, irrevocably changing the natural balances of their new habitats.

This is the story of some of those newcomers, but also of human error and nature gone wild. By looking at thirty different intrusive plants and animals, They Are Here! explores invasive species, their impact on our environment, and the steps we can take to support local ecosystems under threat.

My Thoughts

I found this book really interesting. It includes definitions and describes ways that invasive species enter ecosystems. I was very surprised by how many animals are categorized as invasive species, the damage they do and the money it costs to try to control them. I do wish there was a table of contents, but the chapters are organized by type of animal. I found the chapter about how Burmese Pythons became an invasive species in Florida because of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. 

While there are very few illustrations and no photographs, the short sections with interesting information will appeal to many students. 

Some Books I Have Read Recently-July 13

 Here are a few books I have finished in recent weeks. 

Tumble

by Celia C. Pérez

A 2023-24 Maine Student Book Award Contender

Addie seeks answers from her absent biological father and learns agreat deal about  herself and what it means to be  family in the process.

Hidden Truths 

by Elly Swartz

Expected Publication October, 2023

ebook copy provided by Netgalley

Can secrets and mistakes destroy a lifelong friendship? 

There is so much to dive into in this thoughtful middle grade book. 

Look for it this fall. 

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library 

Graphic Novel

Expected Publication November, 2023

ebook copy provided by Netgalley

The graphic novel captures all the important events from the original novel. I think this version will appeal to many students and will create new fans of the series. 

Garvey's Choice 

The Graphic Novel

I loved the original Garvey's Choice novel in verse. Although this version sticks closely to the origin text, I prefer the original. Part of Garvey's struggle is that he is overweight, but the illustrated Garvey doesn't really seem to be quite what I would picture. But, many students will enjoy it. 

Two Spring Releases: Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy and The World's Worst Time Machine

  Here two finished copies of spring releases that I was able to read this week. 

Doggo and Pupper and the Search for Cozy

by Katherine Applegate

Illustrated by Charlie Alder

Expected publication March 28, 2023

Feiwell and Friends 

Hardcover

96 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

In Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy — the conclusion to the Doggo and Pupper early readers trilogy by New York Times-bestselling author Katherine Applegate with a brightly colored palette from Charlie Alder — the canines help Cat adjust to a big change: A new bed!

When Cat announces that the Humans have given her a surprise present, Doggo and Pupper are all ears. But when they find out that Cat has a new bed and misses her old one, they set out to help her search for cozy.

Change is difficult, and Katherine Applegate understands how it feels to miss a beloved source of security. Very young readers will relate to Doggo, Pupper, and Cat, and appreciate their friendship and empathy.

My Thoughts
This was the first book I have read in this series. It is adorable and I am sure kids love it already. The full color illustrations add another layer of appeal. I am always searching for short books with lower reading levels that don't seem too young. I would suggest this book for grades 1-3 as an independent read and K-2 as a read aloud. 

World's Worst Time Machine

by Dustin Brady

Illustrated by Dave Bardin

Expected Publication April 25, 2023

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Hardcover

192 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

From best-selling author, Dustin Brady comes a new illustrated novel series perfect for fans who love funny, unexpected adventures and wacky plot twists.

For kids, life can be boring, but Liam and Elsa know how to create their own fun—or so they think. After finding a $3 time machine at a garage sale, Liam uses the machine to summon Thomas Edison for help with his book report. It's not until the time machine sends a different Thomas Edison from the 1930s that chaos ensues.

World's Worst Time Machine is the newest series from best-selling children's book author, Dustin Brady. Using his signature style, Brady's laugh-out-loud sense of humor and daring adventure will keep even the most reluctant reader wanting to turn the page.

My Thoughts

If you like fast-paced events with some silliness and a bit of chaos mixed in, this is the book for you. It is described as an illustrated novel, but in my opinion, it could use lots more illustrations for the intended audience. I would lean toward 5th grade and middle school for this one.